Since 1966, the Dan Patch and Youth Leadership Awards are designed to recognize exceptional youth leaders within the Minnesota 4-H Horse Project. Through the application process, youth showcase their experiences, skills and knowledge they have acquired through learning, leading and serving.
This video of the Winter Round Up 2021 Dan Patch breakout session will help youth in the 4-H horse project understand the application process for the Dan Patch and Youth Leadership Awards.
Dan Patch Award
The 20 youth with the highest scores advance to Phase 2, which consists of a personal interview, group problem and a presentation on a horse-related topic. The top 10 Dan Patch finalists are determined based on their combined scores from Phase 1 and 2; they receive a trip to the Minnesota 4-H State Horse Show. The Dan Patch winner receives a $500 scholarship for their accomplishment!
Youth Leadership Award
The top 10 resume and portfolio scorers receive a trip to the Minnesota 4-H State Horse Show.
For participants
Requirements
You must have:
- Been enrolled in Minnesota 4-H horse project for at least two years (includes horseless horse)
- Have at least one year of horse-related leadership
- Participated in at least one of these:
- Winter Round Up
- YELLO, BLU or similar county, region, state or national leadership event
- Speech and Demonstration Contest at the state horse show
- Horse Judging, Hippology or Horse Project Bowl
- County leadership workshop, camp or retreat
Phase 1 - Apply - Registration deadline is April 8
Send in your application, completed and signed by the required adults, including resumes and portfolio. They are judged first on their resume and portfolio by teams of judges using a standard scoring and feedback worksheet. The final combined score from that judging determines the top 20 to advance to Phase 2: Judging Day. In addition, these scores are used to award national leadership trips to 11 youth, 14 years of age and older.
Phase 2 - Judging Day
Dan Patch Phase II judging day will be on Saturday, June 21, 2025. This will be done via Zoom.
The 20 youth with the highest scores advance to Phase 2, which consists of a personal interview, team problem and a presentation on a horse-related topic.
Scores from that event are combined with the resume and portfolio scores to determine the top 10 finalists and the winner of the Dan Patch award.
Scoring
2025 results
- Winner: Brooke S., Kandiyohi
- First runner-up: Shelby A., Mille Lacs
- Second runner-up: Madeline B., Clay
Finalists
- Alena S., Olmsted
- Michelle R., Mille Lacs
- Isabelle M., Lac qui Parle
- Frances G., Meeker
- Kendall J., Chippewa
- Madelyn J., Kandiyohi
- Brooke R., Le Sueur
Requirements
You have:
- Completed sixth grade but not yet started tenth grade.
- Have participated in at least one of these:
- Winter Round Up
- YELLO, BLU or similar county, region, state, or national leadership event
- Speech and Demonstration Contest at the state horse show
- Horse Judging, Hippology or Horse Project Bowl
- A local leadership workshop, camp or retreat
Send in your application, completed and signed by the required adults, along with your resume and portfolio. The resume and portfolio scores determine the top 10 finalists. In addition, these scores are used to award national leadership trips to 11 youth members who are 14 years of age and older.
Deadline
- Applications must be postmarked no later than April 8.
Scoring
2025 results
- Millie L., Brown
- Kensey J., Chippewa
- Taylor N., Anoka
- Audrey F., Meeker
- Jacqueline B., Clay
- Samuel M., Isanti
- Bennet W., Washington
- Evelyn E., Crow Wing
- Kenedi W., Brown
- Brennan C., Olmsted
Find all 4-H volunteer information for the 4-H horse project on the 4-H Volunteer Resource Center Google Site.
Sign up to volunteer through your local 4-H office.
Contact
Cindy Goldade, Dan Patch program chair, [email protected]